NCJ Number
14693
Journal
California Youth Authority Quarterly Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1976) Pages: 26-36
Date Published
1974
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE RELATION OF CRIME TO PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIETAL FACTORS IS DISCUSSED, WITH CRITICISMS OF SOCIAL CONDITIONS WHICH LEAD TO CRIME.
Abstract
THE RELATION OF SOCIETY'S VALUES AND ITS LAWS IS TRACED, AND THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE LAW NEITHER PROTECTS SOCIETY OR CONTROLS BEHAVIOR, BUT ONLY DEFINES WHAT IS UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT SINCE MOST OFFENDERS DO NOT POSSESS A PSYCHOLOGICAL PATHOLOGY THAT CAN ACCOUNT FOR VIOLATING BEHAVIOR, AND SINCE IT APPEARS THAT MOST BIOLOGICAL FACTORS DO NOT PRODUCE VIOLATING BEHAVIOR, SOCIAL MOTIVATIONS MUST BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN CRIME. HE CONTENDS THAT AS SOCIETY IS STRUCTURED, IT FRUSTRATES PEOPLE'S FULFILLMENT OF HOPES AND CAUSES A PREDISPOSITION FOR HOSTILE AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR. HE CONTENDS THAT ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR IS A PRODUCT OF SOCIETY ITSELF RATHER THAN AN EXPRESSION OF INDIVIDUAL DEVIATION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)